2 Reasons I Am Writing a Book about Shame

Shame. Is it ever a good thing? Are shame and guilt the same? Do you hide stuff in your life or past because of shame?

I am working on a book currently entitled, Beyond Shame. Strange topic for my next book? Especially since my first book was about foster care and adoption. And, I blog about living a sent life. Why would I want to write about this powerful emotion that has a lot of people in bondage?

Two reasons I guess.

Through my own struggles, I think I can help.

My life, maybe a surprise to many that know me personally, has been riddled with shame. So much so, that for many years I didn’t understand what had me in bondage. It took learning from others how to first find what had a hold of me. Then I needed to learn how to move through and beyond the shame in my life.

We need to live free in order to live sent.

It is hard—no I would say nearly impossible to live a life sent to reach others with the love of Christ if we are in bondage to shame. Shame prevents us from living authentic, vulnerable lives. What people get is not the real us. A life free from shame can truly reflect who Jesus Christ is to another. That kind of life reflects freedom from what enslaves us; comfort in midst of pain; hope that others long for.

Otherwise what we offer is intellectual, argumentative, and lacking of power to transform. People are moved by the powerful transformation that takes place in our lives when we allow God to free us from shame.

Fear of being known falls away when we no longer are in bondage to shame. We freely share with others who we are and whose we are. As hard as we might try to be convincing of the power that Jesus has to change lives, if we have not allowed Him to change our own life, most will not believe He has the power to change their life.

We all have a story.

I share some of my story throughout the book, but you may have a story to tell too. Your story about struggling with shame or how you moved beyond its bondage can help others in their struggle.

If you are ok with me relating a part of your story to others in this book, would you share your story either by leaving a comment below? Or if you prefer to share with me privately here is how you can contact me:

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Note: This project has been on the back burner for several months, but I am now working on it again.

Want to join me in the process? You can get updates on the progress, free sample chapters, opportunity to give feedback and interact with me.

What is in it for you?

Well you get the rough draft of each chapter for FREE!

You will be one of the first to read the content.

You get to give input on how to make the book better which will help many other people.

Everyone who provides input on the manuscript will be recognized in the Acknowledgement section of the book.

You get a unique behind the scenes peak of how a book is written.

I hope you do join me! Fill out the form below. I look forward to talking!

I am a longtime Austinite. Married my beautiful wife over 25 years ago. Adopted our son September 2012. Currently a writer and loving it. Previous jobs and careers include project management, missionary, and pastor. I enjoy sports (both watching and playing), traveling, reading, digging in dirt and hanging with my friends and family.

2 thoughts on “2 Reasons I Am Writing a Book about Shame”

I struggled with shame for years. First of all, because this is my 3rd marriage (although we will celebrate 38 years in May) and found myself telling people that almost immediately the first couple of years…figured they were going to reject me so needed to get that over with (though it never happened).

Also, there was lots of shame about my past. The enemy tormented me with it mentally for years.

What changed all of that was accepting (1) God’s complete forgiveness and that He didn’t “remember” any of my past and (2) who I am in Jesus…that “I’m all He says I am” as the song says.